News

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed a set of bills amending the current medical marijuana laws to include the legalization of edibles, and outlining new regulations for dispensaries [1]. The original voter-initiated medical marijuana law failed to address some issues that proved key for medical marijuana. The amendments signed by the Governor broaden the definition of “usable marijuana” […]

On September 13, a federal judge denied a motion to stop printing Michigan election ballots until signatures supporting marijuana legalization could be validated [1]. MILegalize, a marijuana legalization advocacy group, worked diligently to collect 354,000 signatures, well over the required 252,000 signatures, to get marijuana legalization on the ballot this November. The same day the group submitted their signatures, […]

The House Criminal Justice Committee recently approved a bill to lessen the penalties for minors caught with alcohol [1]. The bill, which passed almost unanimously in the Senate this March, reduces the punishment for a first offense of minor in possession (commonly referred to as an MIP) from a misdemeanor, which carries up to 90 days in jail and […]

In a contentious vote, the Michigan Senate approved a long-awaited overhaul to the state’s medical marijuana law [1]. Advocates agreed that change was necessary in order to clear up confusion regarding the 2008 voter-approved medical marijuana law [2]. The bills approved by the Senate require a state operating license, which must be renewed annually, to grow, […]

The Michigan State Police is in the process of choosing five counties to run a one-year pilot program for saliva-based testing to check drivers for drugs like marijuana, heroin and cocaine [1]. Officers will determine whether or not a driver is under the influence as part of a 12-step evaluation [2]. Other tests done will […]

Oakland County One-Fifteen News reported that the City Council of Ferndale, Michigan voted to remove criminal history questions from employment applications [1]. For people who have criminal records, finding decent jobs can be next to impossible. It does not matter if a person with a conviction has truly turned their life around, they must still […]

RFL Attorney Stephanie Fakih recently appeared on the CW50 show Street Beat to discuss the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act; an Act that allows youthful criminal offenders in Michigan to plead guilty in exchange for the opportunity to keep their criminal record clean. Watch Stephanie’s appearance and learn more about HYTA here.

Under current Michigan law, not all crimes can be expunged from a criminal record. Crimes carrying a maximum penalty of life in prison cannot be removed from a criminal record. Misdemeanor drunk driving crimes are also ineligible for expungement in Michigan. Even if your conviction is eligible for an expungement, under new Michigan law, an […]

Under new Michigan law, an individual may expunge one felony or up to two misdemeanor convictions from their criminal record. In order to get an expungement in Michigan, you must file an application to set aside your conviction. After filing the application and verifying your expungement eligibility, a hearing will be held where a judge […]

Rights First Law attorney Stephanie Fakih spoke to the Michigan Oakland Press to discuss the recent expansion to the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA). HYTA offers youthful offenders in Michigan a second chance at a clear criminal record in exchange for a guilty plea. Read more from Stephanie and learn about the expansion to HYTA here.